| Assistive Technology
and Students with Disabilities |
| Assistive technology (AT) is any item,
piece of equipment, or product system used to increase, maintain,
or improve access for individuals with disabilities |
|
| What are some of the Assistive Technologies
that are available? |
| >> |
Voice recognition system (Dragon
Naturally Speaking/Voice Express) – allows students to write
by simply speaking to a computer system that is programmed to recognize
their voices. Particularly helpful to: students with motor disabilities
and students with learning disabilities. |
| >> |
Screen readers (Jaws/
Magic) – allow students who are unable to see a traditional
computer monitor to access the screen via a voice output system that
literally reads the contents to users. Particularly helpful to: blind
and low-vision students. |
| >> |
Screen enlargers (Zoom
Text/ Magic) – allow students who have difficulty seeing screen
contents on a standard computer monitor to see the computer by enlarging
the screen up to 16 times. Particularly helpful to: low-vision students. |
| >> |
Braille Translation Software
(Duxbury) – allows for the conversion of text to Braille using
a scanner and Braille printer. Particularly helpful to: blind students. |
| >> |
Kurzweil Omni
3000 Reading System – assists students whose disabilities
affect their reading by simultaneously reading text out loud and highlighting
each spoken word on a computer display. Students can have the system
pause at any time and using its pull-down menus, have instant access
to dictionary, thesaurus, grammar check, and note taking. Students
can also use the system’s scanner, voice-output and recording
capabilities to create books-on-tape. Particularly helpful to: students
with learning disabilities and blind/low-vision students. |
| >> |
Inspiration-
software that assists students in organizing ideas for essays and
papers using symbolic, graphical displays. Particularly helpful to:
students with learning disabilities. |
| Where can I find assistive
technology at BMCC? |
| BMCC has set-up a centralized computer
lab dedicated to assistive technology and meeting the needs of students
with disabilities. This lab is located in room N-764. Technical assistance
and help is available from OSSD staff. The hours of the lab vary each
semester. Students should contact OSSD for current lab hours of operation. |
| BMCC's Commitment to
AT: |
| Assistive technology is a rapidly evolving
field, with innovative AT solutions constantly emerging. In the effort
to provide students with the most effective AT solutions, BMCC is
committed to consistently upgrading its AT resources. Please periodically
check with OSSD to learn about its latest improvements to BMCC’s
AT resources. |
| To determine reasonable accommodations,
OSSD may seek information from appropriate college personnel regarding
essential standards for courses, programs, services, activities, and
facilities. The director makes the final determinations of reasonable
accommodations in collaboration with the student and faculty as warranted.
|
| Requesting
AT in classrooms/ lab: When you need AT in your classroom: |
 |
Students must complete and submit the
Request
for Assistive Technology in the Classroom/Labs Form. |
|
Students are advised to submit these requests
at the time of registration and must allow three weeks for assistive
technology to be installed. |
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